Deuteronomy 24:19

LAWS OF CHARITY

"When thou reapest thy harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: for it shall be for the sojourner, and for the widow; that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it after thee: it shall be for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing."

The expression, "the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow," recurs like a litany throughout the Bible; and the responsibility for all able citizens to be concerned and to look out for those less fortunate than themselves is by no means "an optional" obligation. "Therefore I command thee to do this thing!"

The beautiful story of Ruth and Boaz (in the Book of Ruth) turns upon the fact of Ruth's being a gleaner in Boaz' field. See Leviticus 19:9ff for related material. "Heathen peoples sometimes had regulations like these in order that some would be left for the gods, or the demons, but nothing like that is here, for Israel did not conceive of God as needing earthly food."[16] "The sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow," like a recurring refrain, focuses attention upon why this is commanded. "All of the injunctions in these chapters are adapted to the preservation of brotherliness and love among the people of the Lord."[17]

We appreciate the words of Scott who wrote:

"A spirit that grasps the last penny is contrary to the will of Jehovah and unworthy of his great redemptive act. See similar legislation in Leviticus 19:9f, where the "corners" are added, but the olives are omitted."[18]

People should never be overly diligent to squeeze the last penny of profit out of any venture. It is not merely contrary to what is commanded here, but there is an accompanying detrimental reaction that invariably occurs, as the Lord has revealed: "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty" - Proverbs 11:24.